ID:
509962
Duration (hours):
48
CFU:
6
SSD:
FARMACOLOGIA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
At the end of the course, the students should be able to understand and critically comment the basic principles of the most relevant “state of the art” key technologies currently employed in the pharmacological discovery of new targets and in related biotechnology fields. Moreover, the students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the advantages and potential issues associated with several pharmacological approaches (ranging from small molecules to biotech drugs and theranostics) for the diagnosis and treatment of some pathologies described in the course.
Course Prerequisites
A strong background in cell biology, molecular biology, pharmacology and signaling transduction pathways is required. In addition, a knowledge of basic principles of the most common biochemical assays and techniques are also highly recommended.
Teaching Methods
The teaching makes use of lectures (frontal lessons) activities and
Power Point presentations. Some lessons will be structured as Journal Clubs, where a published paper related to a topic covered in the course will be thoroughly discussed. Power Point presentations, same slides used in classroom lessons, will be made available to students in the teaching section on the KIRO module platform.
Power Point presentations. Some lessons will be structured as Journal Clubs, where a published paper related to a topic covered in the course will be thoroughly discussed. Power Point presentations, same slides used in classroom lessons, will be made available to students in the teaching section on the KIRO module platform.
Assessment Methods
The learning test will be in oral form in English language and will generally involve the description and critical commentary of 2 of the most relevant technologies explained in the lectures of the first part of the course (Professor Schinelli). The duration of the test is one hour and the evaluation of the test is done in 30/30.
The exam for the second part of the course (Professor Peviani) will consist of an oral examination in which the student will be asked to explain the molecular basis of some of the pathologies described in the course, highlighting the available therapeutic approaches along with their advantages and/or critiques.
The final grade is the average of the scores obtained in the two exams (Professor Schinelli and Professor Peviani).
The exam for the second part of the course (Professor Peviani) will consist of an oral examination in which the student will be asked to explain the molecular basis of some of the pathologies described in the course, highlighting the available therapeutic approaches along with their advantages and/or critiques.
The final grade is the average of the scores obtained in the two exams (Professor Schinelli and Professor Peviani).
Texts
none
Contents
The first part of the course (Prof Schinelli) will deal with the role of biotechnologies in the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets. Signaling transduction pathways and drug discovery. Methods screening HTS; 2nd messengers assays, kinases activity assays, binding TF-DNA, rtRT-PCR, reporter genes. Epigenetic mechanisms and methods. Protein-protein interactions; coimmunoprecipitation, affinity chromatography, protein microarrays, two hybrid systems-2HS, proximity labeling and proximity ligation assay (PLA). Target validations with siRNA, iCRISP, small molecules inhibitors and PROTAC. Single cell separation methods; FACS, LCM and chip microfluidics. Organoids and 3D bioprinting models. Single cell multiomics, spatial transcriptomics and spatial multiomics methods.
The second part of the course (Prof Peviani) will focus on several pathologies (such as lysosomal storage disorders, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative disorders) as prototypical examples. These will be used to illustrate the process that leads from target identification to the development of therapeutics. Special attention will be dedicated to the latest advances in drug development, including biotechnological drugs and the use of nanoparticles as tools for gene and drug delivery, as well as for theranostics.
The second part of the course (Prof Peviani) will focus on several pathologies (such as lysosomal storage disorders, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative disorders) as prototypical examples. These will be used to illustrate the process that leads from target identification to the development of therapeutics. Special attention will be dedicated to the latest advances in drug development, including biotechnological drugs and the use of nanoparticles as tools for gene and drug delivery, as well as for theranostics.
Course Language
English
More information
When required, professors will commit to provide students with the most suitable material for exam preparation.
Degrees
Degrees
MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGIES
Master’s Degree
2 years
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People
People (2)
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